Home Forums Fishing Freshwater Reel upgrade time

Well guys, I've decided it's time to retire some of my old gear and get some new reels. I've run Mitchell 300's and 308's for 50 years. My most recent spinning reels have been Schimano's. I'd like to try some of the new stuff. What do guys run for spinning reels these days? I'll need 2 ultra lights, and 2 medium duty spinning reels.

For baitcasters, I've run Ambassadeurs pretty much forever. I've heard these KastKings are pretty good? Maybe? What suggestions do you have? As for pricing, I'd like to keep the spinners between $50.00 to $75.00 each, and the baitcasters up to $125.00 each.

One last question-how 'bout a suggestion baitcasters for musky?

My fishing is mostly for bass, walleye and northerns. The musky fishing is new to me.

Pflueger Presidents for my spinners in the last 10 years. I really like them for the money. Very smooth reels.

Lew's for the bait casters. powdr

Lew's for the bait casters. powdr

I've got a friend who runs the Pflueger's and really likes them. This was going to be one of my choices. Thanks for your input.

I've got a friend who runs the Pflueger's and really likes them. This was going to be one of my choices. Thanks for your input.

I've been looking at those too.

You won't find any high-end baitcasters for under $125, but there is a whole market of reels right at $100 that are really good. Namely the Shimano SLX 150. I use the 151, but that's just personal preference. It has the same frame design and centrifugal brakes as the higher models, but at a much cheaper price point. I personally wouldn't consider anything else because it's the only one that uses the centrifugal pins instead of magnetic brakes. It's no Pike or Musky reel though.

I had a few pfluger presidents that started out pretty good but didn’t hold up to heavy use. I think the Daiwa BG series is the best reel for the money right now. Aluminum frame, excellent anodizing, digi gear and a great drag. I like them better than the equivalent priced Shimanos, but it is hard to go too wrong with a Shimano Sahara or Nasci as well.

Jeff,

I have been using Garcia bait casters the last 6 years in Canada on muskies with a Mitchell 406 at times. I like Pfleugers for the medium/light/ul spinning work where I do a lot of casting and need to move a lot of line quickly. The Ambassadeurs will handle 4 footers nicely. Last year I grabbed up a new 300 and had one given to me, and I still like them a lot for some work.

x2

Shimano slx is great


I picked this for muskie and big pike


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Daiwa-Lexa400WN-Baits-Reel-6-2CRBB-1-7-1-1-LEXA-WN400HS-P/617898231?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=2478&adid=22222222227121387606&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=234580833082&wl4=aud-393207457166:pla-384621605742&wl5=9029626&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=113134593&wl11=online&wl12=617898231&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAiAhc7yBRAdEiwAplGxX5xXNffmfMJBZizOyktXAmFYc8XanqNcshIb1kXZdHbL6335sQTE_RoCzqMQAvD_BwE

If you like round reels, we have switched over to Akios reels for nearly all of our muskie fishing. They are solid, far more so than the more recent Ambassadeurs.

If not, I think it is hard to beat the Daiwa Lexa for a reel.

Spinning reel wise, my search usually starts and stops with Shimano or Pflueger.

Being a longtime guide I have a lot of equipment sent to me for a run thru.
Last year I ran the Revo SX spinning reels and they were terrific. Very impressive reels and they have now replaced my Shimanos.
As for Baitcaster reels I changed over to the Okuma low profile models. Again a terrific improvement in many areas and comfortable to use.
An unsolicited note on rods. St.Croix supplies mine. Very good rods with many options and styles, particularly the extensive 2 piece options which are great for a guy like me on and off airplanes all summer.

Osky

Have you tried one of the new Mitchells ? They're a lot different than the old ones.

No experience with baitcasters, but for spinners I have been using Daiwas, though have Penn and Shimano too.
I fish saltwater, so they should endure fresh much better.
The new Daiwa BG line is quite good, and for light lures I use a Daiwa whisker SS1300 I got on ebay. They make them in 700 size too and that should be an ideal UL setup. They may be on the top end of your budget, but quite worth it. Finesse reels with awesome stopping power if needed (change drag washers to carbontex and you are golden), I've caught some stubborn redfish and trout on mine.

I have two of the new Daiwa Fuego LT’s. They are also really nice, but I think the BG is a little nicer and less expensive (albeit slightly heavier).

What K1500 said re the Diawa BGs. Might be tough to get one for $75 but around $90 will usually do it for the 2500 size and the smaller ones can be found in the $80 range. Another good one is the older Shimano Sienna FD in the $30/ 40 range. Used them a lot and never had a problem. I've never used them but the newer Sienna FEs get decent reviews.

I'll second that...

Me too 👍

I sent a Shimano reel in for the repair of a user induced issue......don’t tear one down w/o schematics.
The tech and I were yaking and he asked what level winds I used. I told him about my LEWS and that I was very impressed with them - he said that “they are too”..... that’s a pretty good endorsement in my opinion.

I’ll go in for the lews for a baitcaster. I have a few and they work well. I’ve never run a really high end baitcaster so maybe I don’t know what I’m missing.